Matrix-setting machine.



G. MUEHLEISEN. MATRIX SETTING MAGHINE. APPLIOATION FILED 131m, 1909.

1,008,186 Patented N0v.7, 1911.

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G. MUEHLEISEN.

MATRIX SETTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED PEB.6, 1909.

1,008,186. Patented Nov. 911.

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G. MUEHLEISEN.

MATRIX SETTING MACHINE.

AIPLIOATION FILED FBB.6, 1909.

1,008,186. Patented Nov. 7, 1911.

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C. MUEHLEISEN.

MATRIX SETTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IEB.6, 1909.

1,008, 186, Patented Nov. 7, 191] 4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

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COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

CARL MUEHLEISEN, OF BERLIN, GERMANY.

MATRIX-SETTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. '7, 1911.

Application filed February 6, 1909. Serial No. 476,440.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL MUEHLEISEN, a citizen of the United States, temporarily residing at Berlin, in the Empire of Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Matrix-Setting Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof.

This invention has reference to line casting machines, in which matrices are temporarily assembled in line and presented to the face of a mold, to form type characters on the edge of a slug or type metal printing bar cast therein, and relates more particularly to those machines in which the matrices are suspended from guide wires whereon they travel to and from the composed line; such, for example, as the well known Rogers Typograph, wherein the guide wires are extended downward in converging lines and then arranged in two vertical tiers, that the descending matrices may be assembled between them. In these machines it is a common practice to provide each matrix bar with two different characters or matrices proper, so that one character or the other may be presented to the mold by raising or lowering the matrix, such matrices being commonly known in the art as two letter matrices.

My invention consists in the combination of a two-letter matrix variable in length in order to change the distance between the upper end, by which it is suspended, and the lower end, which carries the characters or matrices proper, so that the lower end may be raised and lowered at will to present one or the other of the characters to the mold, with mechanism for positively restoring the matrices to their original length after the casting action in which they were used in a shortened condition.

The accompanying drawings represent my invention in different alternative or equivalentforms.

Figure l is a side elevation representing a telescopic matrix on my plan, in connection with suspending devices and the cooperating mold, and the adjusting device for the matrix, the matrix being shown in its elongated condition, with the upper character at the.

casting level. Fig. 2 is a similar view, with the matrix shortened to present its lower character at the casting level. Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the upper end of the matrix on the line 33, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line H of Figs. 2 and '3. Figs. 5 and 6 are side elevations of the matrix in another form, in both the upper and lower positions. Figs. 7 and 8 are similar views showing the matrix in still another form, together with the attendant parts. Figs. 9 and 10 show still another form of matrix.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4:, a. and b represent the upper and lower portions of the matrix, having their ends made of hook form and overlapped edgewise, and connected by means of an inclosing sleeve, 0, secured to the lower member by a rivet, 0 This construction constitutes a telescopic or extensible connection between the upper and lower parts of the matrix, permitting one to be moved endwise in relation to the other; or, in other words, permitting the matrices to be lengthened or shortened at will.

The lower member a is provided in one edge, as usual, with two female type characters or matrices, a adapted to cooperate one at a time with the usual slotted mold, 0, in which the slug or linotype is cast. The upper member, I), of the matrix is provided with an eye adapted to encircle and travel upon the stationary wire guide d, each wire being devoted, as usual, to matrices containing the same characters. The number of guide wires will equal the variety of matrices in the machine, and they will be arranged as usual, so that the matrices when suspended from the various wires will be assembled side by side in a common line in front of the mold.

It will be observed that the construction shown permits the lower member a to be moved upward and downward by hand or by any suitable mechanism, in order to present a selected matrix to the mold.

In Fig. 1 the matrix is of maximum length, and the upper character is at the casting level; while in Fig. 2 the lower member, a, is raised and the matrix shortened to present the lower character, a at the casting level.

After the matrices have been used in the position shown in Fig. 2, it is important that they shall be positively restored to the original length, in order that there may be no errors in composition when they are assembled in succeeding lines. For this purpose I provide a pivoted arm, e, one end of which is arranged to act on shoulders, f, formed on the matrices. This arm, which may be operated by hand or by any suitable automatic mechanism, serves to depress the lower member a and thus extend the matrix to its original and extreme length in a positive manner. There may be one of the arms a for each matrix in the composed line, but it is preferred to have the arm of such width that it will act upon and depress all the matrices.

In Figs. 5 and 6 the lower and upper matrix members a and Z), provided with the matrices and the supporting eye respectively, as in the previous examples, are connected by means of the pivoted links g, so that the lower member may be raised and lowered at will in relation to the upper one. In this case the guides (Z, from which the matrices are suspended, are mounted in a frame, 72', which is free to move upward and downward under the influence of a lever, 0 provided for the purpose. The lower portions, a, of the matrices may be raised and lowered by any suitable means to present the upper or the lower character to the mold, as required, the links yielding when the member a is raised, as shown in Fig. 5. The main frame is provided with a shoulder, 2', arranged to overlie the shoulder f on the matrix. After the casting action, the frame it and guides (Z are raised by means of the lever, from the normal position shown in Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig. 6; the effect being to positively raise the member Z) in relation to the member a, which is held downward by the shoulder i, the effect being to extend the matrix to its full length.

In Figs. 7 and 8 the lower and upper portions of the matrix, a and Z), are connected by a horizontal pivot, (Z so that the lower member, a, containing the matrices proper, in the previous examples, may be raised from the position shown in Fig. 7 to that shown in Fig. 8, the upper end, Z), sliding or turning around the guide d to permit such movement. The rocking arm or lever 6 acts upon the shoulders f in precisely the same manner as in Figs. 1 and 2, to effect the positive depression of the member a and the consequent elongation of the matrix after the casting action.

In Figs. 9 and 10 the lower or body portion, a, of the matrix, containing the two characters, is formed in the upper end with a neck or spindle, m, extended upward through the upper member 6, which latter is seated in the guide (Z, as in the previous examples. The neck m is encircled at the upper end by a spiral spring, a, and provided with a head, Z, bearing thereon. The spring serves to lift the body portion a and hold the same normally in its uppermost position, as shown in Fig. 9, so that the matrix normally of minimum length. When in position in front of the mold, the lower member a may be pushed down by a bar, 2), or any equivalent means, to cause the presentation of the upper instead of the lower character to the mold, 0.

Matrices having a plurality of characters are commonly known in the art as two letter matrices and multiple character matrices. I believe it to be wholly new to combine with matrices of this kind, which are extensible or variable in length, means for positively adjusting them to their normal length subsequent to the casting action.

Having described my invention, 1 claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a line casting machine, two letter matrices, variable in length; guides whereon the matrices are suspended and arranged to travel; and means for positively restor ing the matrices to their normal length subsequent to the casting action.

9'. In combination with two letter matrices, variable in length, means for suspending the matrices at one end, and means acting on the matrix at the opposite end, said means movable one in relation to the other, to positively control the length of the matrix.

3. In a line casting machine, a pendant, extensible matrix, a guide engaging one end of the matrix, and a movable arm engaging the opposite end of the matrix to extend its length.

l. In a line casting machine, the combination of plural letter matrices variable in length so as to present any selected one of the letters in the proper position, and means for positively restoring the matrices to their normal length.

5. In a line casting machine, the combination of suspended plural letter matrices variable in length so as to present any selected one of the letters in the proper position, and means for positively restoring the matrices to their normal length.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CARL MUEHLEISEN. lfitnesses:

HENRY :HASPER, WOLDEMAR HAUPT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

